Article from the local newspaper "De Heraut", August 8, 2024 Berkel and Rodenrijs is a community in the province of South Holland Translated by Ineke, edited by Diana D. Le Star soloist André Rieu sings on request, at the village church of BERKEL Imagine this happening to you: you get a call from André Rieu Productions and hear that a soprano has dropped out, and you are asked whether you want to come and sing with André Rieu tomorrow in Maastricht as a substitute for concerts in Vienna. That happened to soprano Donij van Doorn during her studies at the Maastricht Conservatory. Donij van Doorn was born in Oldenzaal (Town in Twente area of the province of Overijssel) and grew up in a nice family in Enschede where there was a lot of singing at home. “I often sang and danced at home. I can remember that Miss Joke, my teacher in group 4, told my parents that I was a very musical child. Fortunately, my parents soon let me take piano lessons, it was my dream at the time to become a concert pianist when I grew up”. Nevertheless, Donij became known as a singer. “My piano teacher’s wife was the conductor of a great children’s choir, where my parents also allowed me to sing. It was in this choir that my love for singing really developed.” Singing with Rieu “During my studies at the conservatory in Maastricht, I was called by André Rieu Productions (ARP) to come and apply with the world-famous violinist and conductor André Rieu the next day. ”A soprano had dropped out and Rieu needed a replacement at short notice. One of the musicians from his Johann Strauss Orchestra informed Donij and that's how it started. “My audition was very special because when I arrived at the Rieu Studio in Maastricht, television recordings were also being made for a program about Rieu, so I had to audition for the cameras and of course for André himself, so very exciting. I sang the world-famous aria ‘O mio Babbino’ and was accepted immediately. I was so happy! I immediately got a contract with André Rieu. After the concerts in Vienna, I first finished my conservatory studies and later, with my diplomas in my pocket, André asked me if I wanted to become his permanent soloist. I immediately said yes to that wholeheartedly.” Around the world With Rieu, Donij has been able to experience many wonderful moments and sing in very special places, such as the Sydney Town Hall in Australia or the Semper Oper in Dresden. “That was really special there, including the Vrijhof concerts of course, but also performing in many other places in the world from Buenos Aires to Sydney for more than 10,000 people, unforgettable!” Nowadays, Donij van Doorn no longer sings with the Johann Strauss Orchestra but has chosen a new chapter in her career. She looks back with great pleasure, but Donij also looks ahead. “I want to sing as much repertoire as possible and as varied as possible.” Opera seemed to be her future, but singing all sorts of things makes her very happy, something that is also tailor-made for her. Unique to Donij is her ability to play the audience during a performance. “I want the audience and I to be one, we give a concert together, as it were”. Donij involves the audience in her songs, something she also did in front of the mirror as a teenage girl. Then pretending, now for real. On Friday 6 September, Donij van Doorn will sing together with pianist Arjan Breukhoven in the Dorpskerk (Village church) in Berkel en Rodenrijs. Their first collaboration was in the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Many concerts at home and abroad followed. Donij sings on request Donij says about the concert on 6 September: “The programme is unique to this evening. In the world of singing, it is exceptional to let the audience decide what is sung during the concert.” Donij and Arjan will also play a request program. “You say and we sing. Very exciting, but really super fun!” The concert starts at 8:00 PM. Tickets can be reserved now via www.arjanbreukhoven.nl/agenda but are also available at the church on the concert evening.

Click HERE to go to Donij van Doorn, page 2 and click HERE to go to Donij van Doorn, page 1

We have previously attended several performances by Donij van Doorn and to our surprise we read a message in a local newspaper that she will give a special concert on September 6, 2024 not far from our hometown The Hague, together with pianist/organist Arjan Breukhoven. Since it is Ineke’s birthday on September 6th, Ruud thought it would be a very nice gift for me to buy tickets for this concert. Yeah! Great! Although Donij has left the Johann Strauss Orchestra, she is still in our hearts. We enjoyed every minute of this 1.5 hour concert. We loved the atmospheric ambiance in the village church of Berkel en Rodenrijs, Donij’s songs, Arjan’s piano- and organ playing, the cheerful chats in between, the congratulations on my birthday, the photo moment afterwards. (Photo made by Fabian Egli. I guess you know him. In Maastricht he is joining the mail choir. He is Donij’s partner and also a professional singer/ actor.) The “request” program meant that the guests could indicate their preference between two pieces of music. The ones with the most votes were performed in the concert. This is really an innovative way of putting together a program!! Here follows the tracklist of the "on request" program. 1.Les Chemins d’Amour, 2. Lascia ch’io pianga OR When I am laid (Dido’s lament), 3. Allegro from the 10th organ concert by Händel (Arjan), 4. Ah, je veux vivre OR Il Bacio. 5. O, mio babbino caro, 6. Ave Maria by Bach-Gounod OR Schubert OR Caccini. 7. Salut d’Amour by Elgar (Organ), 8. Du sollst der Kaiser meine Seele sein. 9. Vilja-song OR Meine Lippen sie küssen so heiss. 10. Couleurs Trendesse (piano by Arjan), 11. Wishing you were somehow here again OR I dreamed a dream, 12. Summertime, 13. Music was my first, by John Miles (organ), 14. Het dorp OR Liefde van Later, 15. Medley of Dutch popular songs, to sing along. A great variety of musical styles and international compositions. From opera to popular Dutch songs. Donij said that her favorite genre are operetta songs. Thank you Donij, on a next occasion we will definitely come again.

October 20, 2024. Performance Maria Callas & Annie M.G. Schmidt In a small and cozy theater in Leusden, called "de Tuin", Donij van Doorn gave a beautiful performance about the life of Maria Callas. Together with pianist: Mirsa Adami. Announcement in the local press: “Donij is very excited to present her ‘baby’ in the theatre this coming autumn: ‘Maria Callas & Annie M.G. Schmidt.’ Beautiful songs by Harry Bannink (Dutch composer, arranger, pianist) with lyrics by Annie M.G. Schmidt (who is considered to be one of the greatest Dutch (theatrical song) writers). Italian Belcanto come together in this performance about the whirlwind life of the famous diva Maria Callas!” Ruud and Ineke were there. Again we were suprised by the brilliant and exceptional combination. The Italian arias flowed smoothly into the lyrics of the Dutch folk songs that applied to the sad life of Maria. A brilliant and exceptional combination that fit together wonderfully. Donij alternated singing with reading fragments from Maria's diary and playing news reports on the radio from that time.

September 6, 2024. Concert “on request” by Donij van Doorn and Arjan Breukhoven in the village church of Berkel and Rodenrijs.